26 armymen missing in Nubra valley, where slush has accumulated up to 25 feet, still untraceable
Even as the toll in Friday's flashfloods in Leh rose to 165 on Monday, the focus shifted to rescue and relief of stranded tourists. One hundred and fifty bodies have been identified so far, while 15 unidentified ones have been buried or cremated, Amir Ali, in-charge of the disaster management cell in Kashmir, said.
Indian Air Force (IAF) rescued 81 foreign tourists — 17 British and French each, nine Dutch, eight Czech, seven German, four Israeli, Swiss and Romanian each, three Australian, American and Italian each and two Spanish — and six tour operators from the Zanskar valley.
“The foreigners have been safely flown to Leh. A special police assistance booth has been opened for those who lost passports and other travel documents. Sixty-three sorties [both IAF and civil] have been made from Leh to the affected areas in 25 hours,” SN Acharya, officiating public relations officer of the defence ministry in Jammu, said.
Lieutenant Colonel JS Brar, defence spokesman in Srinagar, said around 76 foreign tourists were stranded at Pang. “Around 150 foreign tourists are in Lamayuru, eight in Batalik and 10 in Kargil. All tourists are being taken care of by army formations,” he said.
Efforts have been fast-tracked but the 26 armymen who went missing in the Nubra valley, where slush has accumulated up to 25 feet, are still untraceable. Efforts to clear the debris and rubble in different parts of Leh have been trebled. “So far, 145 people have been confirmed dead and 180 injured. Rescue operations are on in full swing,” Amir Ali said.
A defence spokesman said the army had pressed 41 columns into service to augment relief and rescue operations in Leh and adjoining areas.
The army has restored the Leh-Manali road up to Kara, 40 km from Leh.
“This stretch was badly affected by the flashfloods. Our teams are proceeding ahead to clear the road. We hope by [Monday] evening or tomorrow we will be able to clear the Leh-Manali highway,” Lt Col Brar said.
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